Modes & QR code
What happens when a digital card's QR code is scanned, and how to set it.
A Digital card's QR code behaves like an NFC card: its action on scan depends on its mode.
The modes
| Mode | On scan, the QR… |
|---|---|
| Profile | opens the public profile page |
| vCard | offers the contact file (.vcf) |
| Link | redirects to a custom URL |
| Default | applies the organization's default mode |
Stable QR
The digital card's QR code is stable: it doesn't change, even if you change the mode afterward. The destination is resolved at scan time, letting you change the behavior without reissuing the card or handing out a new QR.
Example: you roll out cards in Profile mode, then decide they should offer the vCard directly. Switch the template to vCard mode: cards already installed adopt the new behavior, with nothing to reissue.
Setting priority
The priority order is:
- user setting (if allowed);
- template mode;
- organization default mode.
The first setting defined in that order wins. If the user has no setting of their own (or isn't allowed one), the template mode applies; failing that, the organization's default mode.
Choosing the mode
- Open the template under Apple Card & Google Wallet (see Create a digital card).
- Set the mode on scan (Profile, vCard, Link or Default).
- For Link mode, enter the destination URL.
- Save.
The same mode system applies to NFC cards: keeping the NFC card and digital card settings consistent avoids surprises.
Troubleshooting
- The QR opens nothing / the wrong page: check the digital card's mode and the setting priority (user → template → organization default).
- Link mode doesn't open the right URL: check the URL entered on the template (and, if applicable, the user's own setting).
More fixes on Troubleshooting · Wallet.